Ellen Macarthur Trust

Nearing CVI's

Saturday 19th December 2009
 
Day 10.
 
Can I start with a quick plea, if you are emailing, can you please not attach any files unless absolutely necessary, mentioning no names SCOTT McD...!!  The 4 Mb HVRC Bugle.pdf was most entertaining but at $20 USD / Mb download (you do the maths), I'll have to stop Master T's pocket money (again) for the next 2 years to cover the airtime. Please ladies/gents, short brief emails only, and my apologies in advance if I don't get to reply to you all individually.
 
Well, we are now about 60 miles from Sao Vicente on the Cape Verde Islands, our ETA there is daylight tomorrow morning.  We could go a bit faster but we'd arrive at night which I'd prefer to avoid.  Unfortunately, of the 7 days in a week, the CVI's, like most places, effectively "shut down" on a Sunday - 7 guesses which day we arrive?  Our contact there, Kai Brossman, has been really helpful on the phone and, if not tomorrow, then Monday, with his help, we hope to get the fuel / engine problems addressed and be on our way again.
 
As I write this, we are currently sailing dead down wind in a light breeze, not a cloud in the sky, beautiful warm sunshine (we are on the same latitude as the Caribbean) - it's noticeably more humid.  Fingers crossed for a bit more wind when we restart on Monday. Whilst it is frustrating that the timescale is expanding with alarming speed (sorry to all of my BVI followers, especially Colin who must be having a nervous breakdown by now due to all of the arrangements he has made for our arrival on 27th), there is nothing we can do about it, other than to enjoy the whole magnificent experience - it's not often you get the chance to sail a beautiful yacht on such a magnificent voyage, I'm very lucky indeed and not a day goes by without feeling grateful to Mike, Martine and Bob, Trustees of the SADT, for the loan of ID.  For more info about the charity which owns the boat, vist www.impossibledream.org.uk .

Well, the sea state has lessened as the wind has come astern making for a much more pleasant and more stable ride so, for the time being at least, I can clear some of the backlog of messages on my computer without clinging on for dear life as the boat rock n rolls.. Yesterday I had an afternoon nap only to awake and find the boat "Christmasized"; tinsel, star stickers on windows, even a small Christmas tree with a somewhat camp looking fairy perched on top all giving the place an odd feel; us Brits don't have our Xmas decs out in such warm weather in the UK, but I guess it's normal for these antipodean types. I wonder who was responsible for the mini makeover? No doubt you'll find some clues at www.sailingsuze.blogspot.com
 
Thanks for all of your messages of support on the website, do keep them coming.  If you haven't yet noticed, there is a new IMAGES tab under the GALLERY menu bar (at the top of the this screen) - here, and below, you will find a number of photos which Digby has taken and uploaded - keep checking back for updates every few days. I hope you are liking the video blogs too, Big-Up for Digby.
 
My fishing friends will be pleased to hear that our tally is now up to 4 fish (only 3 landed) of which 2 were good sized Dorado and were excellent eating - we've got the line out right now trying to catch a lovely fresh tuna for supper, that's the Holy Grail.
 
Right, back to the sailing.